Submittal Requirements
Failure to comply with submittal requirements can result in disqualification of entry. Materials completed between January 2010 and December 2011 will be accepted for the 2012 competition.
All materials, including entry form and demonstration materials, must be submitted in one 8.5-inch x 11-inch, three-ring, view binder (the binder will have a clear slip-in pocket on its front for a coversheet). A separate binder is required for each entry category. Binders will be recycled to a school or organization in need.
All information and materials contained in the binder must be inserted into clear plastic sleeves. For larger items that do not fit into sleeves, use large metal binder clips or rubber bands to attach items (e.g., book, magazine, etc.) to the binder. Any materials that cannot be placed in a binder (such as clothing, hard hats, etc.) must be illustrated with a photograph. Inclusion of such materials in their actual form is elective, not mandatory.
For electronic media on CD and DVD, please use plastic disk sleeves that can be inserted in a three-ring binder so the disk cannot fall out of the binder. Make sure that the electronic media is viewable using a Windows-based platform and test your entry prior to submittal.
Include three copies of the clarification statement with each submission. Put each copy of the clarification statement into its own clear plastic sleeve. Please refer to the category description for specific submittal requirements related to your entry.
Each binder must contain the following items in the following order:
Entry Form and Payment (two copies): Place one copy of the completed entry form and (if paying by check) one black and white copy of your check inside the clear cover of the binder. YOU DO NOT NEED TO CREATE A COVER SHEET FOR THE FRONT COVER OF THE BINDER. YOU MAY PLACE A COVER SHEET ON THE INSIDE, IN FRONT OF THE TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Place a second copy of the entry form plus the actual check in an envelope and insert into the inside pocket of the front cover. Make checks payable to “SMPS.” If address is needed for accounting purposes, please use 123 N. Pitt Street, #400, Alexandria, VA 22314.
For credit card payments, place one copy of the completed entry form (including payment information) inside the clear cover of the binder. Place a second copy of the entry form (including payment information) in the inside pocket of the front cover. All payment information will be removed before the competition.
Table of Contents: List all information/materials enclosed in the binder.
Section 1 Clarification Statement (three copies): Three copies of the clarification statement must accompany each entry and follow the order and guidelines listed below. Please provide answers to all questions in the following format: 10–12 pt font size, 1.5 or double spaced. The clarification statement should not exceed two pages. You are encouraged to use bullets to outline your answers, as jurors have limited time to review each submittal. Please print the entry category, firm name, and entry title on each page of the clarification statement in the upper right corner.
1. YOUR FIRM’S MARKETING OBJECTIVE
a. Goals: Clearly state your marketing goals. What did your firm hope to achieve with the piece or program? How do you intend to measure your results against the goals?
b. Target Audience: Who was the audience for this piece or program? How many pieces were mailed? Characterize the composition, size, and location of your target audience (e.g., 250 CEOs and senior managers of the top 500 leaders of the California high-tech industry).
2. THE CONTENT OF THE PIECE OR PROGRAM
a. Research, Planning, and Implementation: What market research was conducted prior to the planning of the piece or program? Describe the production and delivery method. Was an outside consulting or graphic design firm used?
b. Message: What is/are the key message(s) intended for this piece, site, or program?
c. Distinction: Explain your thought process in making your piece or program stand out from the crowd (i.e., why did you use the media you chose, what differentiates your piece or program, what was your thinking about distinguishing your firm from others)?
3. THE RESULTS OF THE MARKETING COMMUNICATION EFFORT
Results are worth 10 points of the overall score. Not including results will diminish your chance of winning.
Below are examples of measurable results you MAY want to include on your clarification statement:
a. Did your results achieve your marketing goals and how?
b. How many were mailed? Did you reach the target audience? What was the intended response? What was the response rate?
c. What actions did the target audience take upon receiving the materials?
d. What was your breakeven goal for profit/loss and did you achieve it?
e. Did you meet specific sales goals?
f. Did you gain new clients?
g. Did you get the projects you hoped to get?
h. What was the ROI?
4. BUDGET AND COST DATA
List your:
i. Budget $ ________________
ii. Actual total cost $ ________________ (i.e., materials, printing, delivery) , includes labor
Section 2 Exhibits/Samples: Please include at least one copy of the marketing piece that you are submitting for judges to review (some categories require more than one copy, review your entry category to confirm quantity). Any accompanying disks must be in a disk sleeve that can be inserted into the three-ring binder so the disk cannot fall out of the binder. Clearly label the disk with the following information:
a. Individual’s name
b. Firm name
c. Category
d. Contents and format
Send Entries to:
SMPS MCA Entry
123 N. Pitt Street, #400
Alexandria, VA 22314
800.292.7677, x227
Entry Fees: Please refer to this chart to determine the appropriate entry fees for your firm.
Early-Bird Entry Deadline: Submissions must be postmarked by March 1, 2012.
Final Deadline and Additional Fees: The final deadline for receipt of entries by SMPS (received by, not postmarked by date) is March 15, 2012. These later submissions require an additional $50 fee per submission, which must accompany the entry.
Note: Materials will not be returned. All entries become the property of SMPS and may be displayed during SMPS educational events as examples of best practices in marketing communications.
For More Information
Contact Molly Dall’Erta, SMPS National, at molly@smps.org or 800.292.7677, x231.